Vincenzo Nibali: "The race is more than a duel"

interview12.07.2014Stage 8- Tomblaine / Gérardmer La Mauselaine

Race leader.

"Alberto Contador took the race in hand. The last climb suited him more than me. It was very difficult and explosive. I quickly understood what he wanted to do since he put his team at work. He attacked me but I was going well. I made a little mistake in choosing my gear. It was a bit too big. We've all paid the efforts of the previous days. In my team, [Tanel] Kangert has waited for [Jakob] Fuglsang who almost crashed because we prefer to have two men high on GC. Michele Scarponi remained on my side. We spoke well about what to do when Contador would accelerate. We expected him to do so anytime. He's ready to gain time wherever he can. He went strongly! I've tried to handle the situation the best way I could. I've tried to control till the very end. I've resisted to all of his attacks. The race is not a duel though. It's more than that. Richie Porte is up there. He was supposed to be the last man for Froome. He's not here by coincidence. I've also seen Valverde riding at ease even if he lost a bit at the end. There have been great riders in action today. I feel good despite the rain. I try to remain calm in all occasions."

Blel Kadri of AG2R-La Mondiale was the only survivor of the breakaway. Therefore, he delivered the first French stage win of the 2014 Tour de France whereas the battle of the giants gave a little advantage to Alberto Contador who moved up to the top ten on GC. But the Spaniard only regained three seconds from Vincenzo Nibali who reached a new summit: the 200th day of an Italian in the lead of the Tour de France.

Already involved in a controversial crash in the finale of stage 7 in Nancy, Andrew Talansky (GRS) fell again in Saturday's stage and lost precious time.According to the medical communiqué, the American, winner of the last Dauphine, suffers from "multiple contusions". 35th in the stage, 4:35 adrift, the Garmin Sharp team leader is now 16th overall, 4:22 behind Vincenzo Nibali.